Definition excerpted with permission from Ginger, Serge International Glossary of Gestalt Psychotherapy (Seven languages including English. Order from FORGE at 183 rue Lecourbe; 75015 Paris, France) Paperback 1995.
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top-dog
- literally, the dog leading a team of sledges. By extension, the boss or leader, notably in sports. Perls emphasises the intra-psychic struggle between the top-dog (conscience, super ego) and the under-dog ('second fiddle', egotistic resistance).